Libous challenger fights for spot on primary ballot

By
Amy Khuu

August 6, 2014Updated Aug 6, 2014 at 11:21 PM EDT

(WBNG Binghamton) Three weeks after announcing his candidacy for the New York State Senate to face off in a Republican Primary against incumbent Tom Libous, Candor native Denver Jones will face a hearing to see if he has enough valid signatures to appear on the ballot.

Originally Jones' campaign submitted more that 1,700 signatures to the New York State Board of Elections.

The Libous campaign challenged many of his signatures, however, and the state approved 970 of them, which is 30 short of the 1,000 signatures required to appear on the primary ballot.

"I'm just appalled at how much money the Republican party is pushing into the high level attorneys." said Jones. "Why aren't you using the money for what is intended, to keep someone who is legitimately acceptable on the ballot, should not be the course the party takes, I mean that's what the primaries are for, to determine the best candidate that the people want."

Jones will meet with the New York State Board of Elections Thursday to fight the case. Friday is the deadline for a judge to determine whether Jones will be a candidate for primaries.